Equalizing-combustion unit



Marh l0, 1931. D. 1 MARSHALL EQUALIZING COMBUSTIONZUNIT Filed Oct. 5,1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i Il. Illm IN1/TOR. /Z 1// /Z//z/ A TTORNEY.

March 10, 1931. D. L. MARSHALL 1,795,309

EQUALIZING coMBusTIoN UNIT Filed ont. 5, 192s v4 sheets-sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

//rZ//nrffzi 'MU I n Xl 27M ATTORNEY.

Mmlm, 1931. D. L. MARSHALL 1,795,309

9911111.12111@ coMBUsToN UNIT Filed Oct. 5, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l NVEN TOR.

March 10', 1931. D. L. MARSHALL 1,795,309A

EQUALIZING COMBUSTION UNIT Filed oct. 5, 1928 4 sheets-sheet 4 Z 3 uw 47 v M, 2 I L I 4 MZ, g q

l INVENTOR. f2.7 /yn/sa/X ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 10, 1931" DAVIDLEWES MARSHALL, 0F PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

EQUALIZINo-coiviusrron UNIT Application led October 5, 1928. Serial No.319,619.

My invention relates broadly to a cylinder head unit, adaptable tocombustion engines. Its full intent being to provide a variable controldevice, built inthe cylinder head, adjacent to the reciprocating pistonin order to equalize the compression areas for single or multiplecylinder engines, in such a way that the regulation of each unit isindependent of each other, for the vpurpose of producing increasedpower, balance, flexibility and rhythmic smoothness. j

The unit being sel-contained,its adjustable compression head can bere`jset to any desire-d area. from an external position while the'motoris running or idle.l Provides single or duel ignition, separate watercirculation for the control of the heat, and can be removed as a unit bythe removal of four release studs, for quick inspection or cleaning when`the engine is idle. When removed it leaves an opening in the cylinderhead of the same diameter as the complete unit, providing ease oicleaning piston and valvesl without removing the cylinder head or any ofits connections.` Replacements can be made without changingitsoriginalsetting The special feature of this device, being the flexibledegree in which the combined units can be adjusted to operate under anydesired combustion ratio for `various load conditions. As its operationis independent oi the general design or mechanical features incorporatedinto any standardinternfal combustion engine.

In order to describe the various parts,- I will now refer to `theaccompanying drawings which illustrate a unit, embodying the fea.n turesof my invention, with the same characters representing the same part onvarious sheets, and in which- Figure l is a plan view showing apartsection of a cylinder head illustrating a unit assembled for operation,and the opening left in the cylinder head when the unit is removed.

Figure 2 Vis a vertical section of Fig. l on line A-A showing thevrelative parts of the unit, when the Yadjustable combustion head is in'its lowest position.

Figure 3 same as Fig. .2 showing the relative parts of the unit when theadjustable combustion head is in its elevated position'to change thecombustion chambers volume.

Figure i is a vertical section on lineL B-B,

F ig. l, showing the detail construction of the cylinder head bossessupporting the release studs which securely fastens the unit to thekcylinder head and remove it when desired.

Figure 5 is au elevation of the adjustable combustion head only, showingthe thread and oil groove around its periphery,` and the oblongv teethon the top rim of same by which adjustments are made.

Figure Gis a perspective from the top showing the assembled unit, as itappears after being drawnfrom, or ready to be returned to the cylinderhead opening so as not tochange the setting. v

Figure 7 is an elevation'of the circulating water container, with partsection of the inlet and'outlet sides of the water bosses to illustratethe flow of the water in absorbing the heat, as the water passes throughthecontainer, to and from the cylinder head connections.

Figure 7-A is Va plan view of Fig. 7 showing position ofwaterconnections at the top, also cylindrical openings for spark plug,and spark plug boss. Y Figure 8 is a` vertical sectionof a portion ofthe cylinder head showing a nipple connectionv for one end of theflexible water tube, which connects the water space in the cylinder headwithV the connections on the water container, so as to provide means incarrying the circulating Water to and from the container. v v j Figure 9is a part vertical section showing the wall'of the cylinder headopening, the wall of the housing member with its shallow angul largroove to collect oil and carbon asa sec ondary method in sealing thecombustion gases, a thread on its inner surface with which thecorresponding thread on the wall of the adjustable head operates inmaking adjustments for the combustion areas.

Figure lOfis a vertical longitudinal section of a four unit cylinderhead, illustrating the variation ofadjustmentsfor the combustion areas,and the lip around the side of the top ilange for sealing the combustiongases at the top of the cylinder head.

Figure 11 is a part elevation at E, showing the unit being drawn out ofthe cylinder head by the action of the release studs without changingits adjustments.

Figure 12 is a part elevation at E, Fig. 1, showing one of the releasestuds in position for receiving the assembled unit.

Fig. 1 shows such a unit in plan` view, assembled for its operation andcan better be described in connection with- Fig. 2 which is a verticalcross section of Fig. 1, on line .er-A, dotted lines showing a typicalcylinder block 1, a reciprocating pist0n in its top center position forliring 2, intake and exhaust valves 3, cylinder block water acket 4,cylinder head gasket 5. These parts and their function being unchangedand well known it is not necessary for them to be described here as theyare shown only to help illustrate my invention. Cylinder head casting 6,being cast in one piece in the regular way, (all unnecessary parts notshown) provides a cylinder opening 7, for each unit separated from thewater jacket 3, by the wall 9, extending upward through the cylinderhead 6, of the same diameter as the piston 2, or any diameter as may berequired. Space ,7. Fig. 1,

10, being the gas passage between the intake and exhaust valves 3, andthe compression area 11, is separated from the water space 8, by thewall 12. Opening 13, is provided with a thread 14, for a compressiongangs or ignition on the valve side of the cylinder head 6, and opensinto the gas passage 10. i

Four separate bosses 15, are cast integral with the cylinder head 6, andthe wall 9, cxtending down into the water space 8, from the top with athreaded hole 32, to receive and form a support for the lower part ofthe four release studs 16, which hold the assembled unit in place.Operation for all four studs 16, being the same, description covers Fig.4, which is a vertical section on line B-B, Fig. 1, in which releasestud 16, has an extension 17, at the bottom with a thread 18, forthreading into the hol-es 32, in bosses 15. Above the lower extension17, a round collar 19, and a bearing surface 20, both being a part ofthe stud 16, and having a iinished surface to revolve in thecorresponding recesses of the lugs 29, of the compression head housing24. Above the bearing surface 20, is a short thread 21, for the lock nut22, for holding housing 24 of the unit stationary. The upper end of thestud 16 having a square shank 23, for a socket wrench 67 Fig. 11, isused in turning the studs 16, when jacking the assembled unit out of thecylinder head 6, for removal of the complete unit. Grouping of thefigures will better describe some of the relative parts of the assembledunit, and they will follow in the manner of their assembly.

Figs. 2 4, being sectional views together with Fig. 6 a. perspectiveview of the unit from the top, shows the compression head housing as thesupporting member for the complete unit, its lower portion having avertical cylindrical wall 24, forming a horizontal surface at the toninto the four lugs 29.

WV all 24, around its outside periphery conforms to the cylinder opening7, assembles with it and ,has a finished surface for a sliding lit, witha wide, shallow angular groove 25, around its outer surface to act as asealing space for the gases and a reservoir to collect oil from thelubricating oil groove 36 Fig. 9. The inner surface of 24, having afemale thread 2? Figs. 4-9, extending from the top down to the recess2S, for supporting its adjacent member 33. Recess 28, at the bottom ofthe inner wall surface reduces its metal thickness and provides a smoothsurface for the action of the gases at this point when the adjustablecompression head 33, is lifted from` its low position as shown in Fig.3. The four top surface lugs 29 Figs. 4-6 each have a recess 30, openingon the under side to receive the round collar 19, and an opening 31,bored central with it, directly above for receiving bearing surface 20,on releasel stud 16.

Adjustable compression head 33, Fig. 4 is supported by wall 24. ltsoutside periphery has a male thread 34 Fig'. 5, running down its entirelength which engages the thread 2T Fig. 9. [in oil feed 35, from its topexposed surface or rim runs down a suitable distance Fi 3 in a verticalmanner, until it intersects the oil groove 36, which in turn runs aroundits periphery on a spiral for a suitable distance to lubricate thethreads 27 and 34.

Vall 33, being closed at the bottom by the horizontal wall 41, except atthe center where it forms the vertical internal boss 37, which has afemale thread 38, provides for the insertion of the main ignition sparkplug which travels with the head so that the compressed gases are alwaysiired from a` top central position, regardless of the variation of thearea` 11, by any change of its position as shown by F ig. 3. The top orrim of the wall 33 6, has four projecting surfaces 39, and four recesses40, each alternating with each other every forty-live degrees of itscircumference, forming oblong teeth for the use of a Spanner wrench inraising or lowering same. It is heaviest at the top, tapering toward itslower wall 41, to reduce the metal thickness and has two internal ribs42, for strength and a. bearing surface to prevent separate watercontainer 46, from vibrating.

Adjustable compression head lock ring, 43 Fig. 3, being a sectionalview, showing the adjustable compression head 33, in an elevatedposition. Lock ring 43, maintains the same relative position for lockingas shown by Fig. 2. lts function being to hold the adjustablecompression head 33, from turningl after adjustments are made. It iscylindrical, having a female thread on its inner sur face correspondingto the male thread 34, on the adjustable compression head 33, as-`sembles over its upper portion Fig. 6, above the topl surface of thecompression head housing 24, and bears against it when locked in place.vAround its periphery are a series of suitable angular notches 45, forholding the jaws of a Spanner wrench in releasing or locking same foradjustments.

Circulating water container4 46 Fig. 6, being a perspective view fromthe top, Fig. 7 being a plan and elevation with water connections inpart section for better illustratien. This container being a closedvessel of copper or other suitable metal to provide rapid transmissionof the heat from theunit to the circulating water 56, is cylindrical inshape and conforms largely to the inside surface and supported by theadjustable compression head 33.

Water container has large recess 47, at its center extending from thetop downward, tapering at its base toward the center to encirclel thespark plug boss 37, by the recess 48, and resting Fig. 3, on the insideof the lowerwall 41, of the compression head 33. lts outside verticalsurface is straight fornr Ving a bearing against the heavy portion ofthe upper wall, and the two ribs 42, on the lower part of the adjustablecompression head 33. The top surface Fig. "7, has twoV connections forthe circulating water of which flange 49, conforms to the circular linesof the top of 46, with an external boss V50, having a male thread 51,for water connections of the fiexible tubes, and the fittings 53. Aninternal boss 54, from the under side of the flange 49, has a tube 55attached to it, extending down a suitable distance from the bottom, tocarry the cooling circulating water to the lowest part as shown by thearrow 56, so that it will circulatearound the recess 48, absorbing theheat and rise to the return boss 57, and baclrthrough the returnflexible tube 52, to the cylinder head 6. Return boss 57 being the sameas the inlet Side except tub-e 55, is not required. rlShe watercontainer is held in place by the weight of both flexible tubes 52,water 56, and the two spring clamps 58, which are secured to the top rimof the adjustable compression' head 33, by the screws 59.

Fig. 8 being a vertical section on line C-C, Fig. 2, in which a portionof the cylinder head 6, has internal bosses 60, each with a threadedopening 61, for the attachment of the nipples 62, which in turn has athreaded boss 63, for threading into the openings 61. its upper portionforming the boss 64, with a thread 65, for connection 66, on theflexible metal tubes 52. Both feed and return tubes 52 and connectionsfor attachments of the cylinder head 6, and containerp46, are of anysuitable type, and shown here for completing the water circulationbetween the cylinder head and the unit, and are not claimedas a part ofthis invention.

Fig. 9 being a part enlarged section ofthe vertical walls ofthe unit toillustrate the oiling of thecylinder opening 7, shows cylinder wall 9,compression head housing wall 24, and adjustable compression head wall33. As oil feeds down the. spiral grooves 36, around the periphery o-f33., it will come in contact with and feed through one or more of thefour ports 26, into the angular groove 25, of the wall 24, distributingoil on the face of cylinder opening 7, and form an oil seal at the sametime. vy Fig. 10 beinga vertical longitudinal section of a four unitcylinder head, partsare blocked Vin merely to illustrate how a series ofunits, t--b-ce-d, would vary in the different settings to provide aneven pressure for the areas 11, this is shown by placing all the pistonsat a top center position for illus-v tration. l

f Fig. 11, part elevation of a unit at E, Fig. 1, showing therelease'stud 16, jacking the unit out of the cylinder head 6, hereinlater described. When brought to sufficient height the unit can belifted from the top ofthe studs 16, by hand, leaving studs 16, in hole32.

Fig. 12, part elevation at E, Fig. 1,v showing one of the release studs16, re-placed in position to receive the unit upon being replaced incylinder opening forre-assembly.

Method, of operation in suitable openings that -will equalize thiscondition from an outside adjustment, so that the ultimate working areasgive an absolute balance to the exploding gases for each, Fig. 10',regardless of the variation of the clearance above the piston.

Referring to Fig. 2, cylinder head casting being of standard one piecedesign, with the exception that additional provision is made in thecylinder head for the fou-r bosses 15, and the wall 9, which forms thecylindrical opening 7, for the installation of the assembled unit ofwhich the major parts are the compression head housing 24, adjustablecompression head 33, adjustable compression. head lock ring 43, and thecirculating water vcontainer 46, all being supported by each other inturn as before described.y

Drawings illustrate a standard side pocket type of head, in which thegases are passed through the valves 3, and' space 10, to area 11 in theregular manner for firing. The volume of this area is controlled by thedistance between the top of the piston 2, and the under side of the wall41, which can be of any desired shape.

For describing its operation: Let it be assumed the area 11 Fig. 2, isat variance or Working at a higher pressure per square inch than itsadjoining cylinders. For resetting to bring it to the same pressure,remove the two screws and spring clips 58 and 59, so that thecirculating water container 46, being smooth and of sufficient clearancearound its outside walls and base, will befree to remain stationary inthe adjustment head 33, as it is held against turning by the twoflexible water tubes 52, which are left connected to 46, and 6.

With a spanner wrench inserted into the angular grooves 45, loosen andback up lock ring 43, two or three turns, to free the adjustablecompression head 33. rlhe area 1i, is controlled only and entirely bythe Inovement of' the adjustable compression head 33, and is adjusted byplacing a Spanner wrench in the external oblong extensions 39, andrecesses 40. Turning saine to the left or right will move the adjustablecon'ipression head 3, up or down to any 'fraction of an inch by theaction of the stationary*thread 27 on 24, and the adjusting thread 34,on 33, bringing 33, to any desired position F ig. 3, carrying container46, and the spark plug` in boss 3'?, with it, maintaining both in thesame relative position as before.

Adjustments can be made with the engine in operation, as the length andfit of the threads 27 and 34, are suflicient to control the force of theexploding gases. With adjustments made, re-set the lock ring 43, replacespring clips 58 and screws 59, and the unit has been re-set and againlocked in place. fr small variation in increasing or decreasing thevolume makes a marked difference, the large increase of area shownbetween Fig. 2 and 3, being for illustration only.

Method of adjustments for all units being the same, any number can beoperated at one time until'the proper operation is attained.

An alternate method of adjustment tor closer results can be obtainedwith the engine idle, by placing a. pressure gauge in opening 13, inplace ot the spark plug, and proceeding as above described, turning theengine over by hand and reading the pressure on the gauge, thus settingeach unit to a perfect and exact pressure per square inch as desired,varying each as required Fig. 10, to obtain a proper balance.

The complet-e water circulation comes up from the cylinder block 1,through the standard system of ports, enters the space S, passes throughthe nipple 65, Fig. 8, as indicated by the arrow 56, into the flexibletube 52, and

travels in a transverse direction Figs. 1 and 2', to the unit connection53, through the boss 50, Fig. 7, and tube 55, to a point close to thebottom of 46, circulating around opening 48, then up to the outlet boss57, on the return side to connection 53, through flexible tube 52, andemptying back into the space 8, of the cylinder head 6.

To remove the assembled unit, without chan ging or interfering with itsadjustments, as for inspection or cleaning: litter draining off aportion of the water in the cooling .sj/stem to bring it below the unitlevel, remove connections 53, on both feed and return side oi' the unitwater container 46, remove the lock nut 22, on each ot the four releasestuds 16, Figs. 4 and 11.

lace a socket wrench 67, on the square shank 23, on the upper end of thestud 16. 'liiirning each one in turn, a half turn will cause the part17, to lift out ot the threaded hole 32, by action of the thread 18,pressing the round collar 19, up against the lugs 29 in recess 30, andopening 31. Thereby ack- "ng the complete unit from its place in thelinder opening 7, leaving an opening the All size ot the unit :forcleaning the valves 1d piston as shown in Fig. 1. To re-set the nit,replace the studs 16, in the threaded fieles 32, Fig. 12. Placing theassembled unit in the opening 7, pressing it down into place with. thetour studs 16, passing through the openingl 31, and over collar 19,re-set lock nut Replace connections 53, and the unit is reassembled.

Having thus described the nature of this invention from practicalworking test, and the best descriptive means l know of-l claim:

1. An equalizing combustion unit placed in a suitable opening ot thecylinder head i'or an internal combustion engine as herein described,said opening supporting an adjustable combustion unit having astationary housing member combining a top flange surface anchoredsubstantially to the cylinder head by release studs, providing a tightjoint against the leakage of combustion gases, a cylindrical wallextending down from the top flange, the outside surface of which has ashallow angular groove of suitable dimensions interposed between the topflange and the bottom edge, to provide a space for the accumulation ofoil and carbon to act as a secondary means of sealing the cylinder headwall against the combustion gases, the inner surface on the cylindricalwall having a thread extending from its top flange surface downward asuitable distance which supports the adjustable combustion head andpermits adjustments thereto, thus constituting a main supporting memberof the unit, which doesr not move when adjustments are made to vary thecombustion area, but does permit the assembled units removal andreplacement in prf the cylinder head opening Without changing the area.

2. An equalizing combustion unit placed in a suitable opening of thecylinder head for an internal combustion engine as herein deu scribed,said opening supporting a housing member, controlled by suitable releasestuds, embodying an adjustable combustion head for equalizing thecompression volume, having a cylindrical Wall open at the top, a

-thread and an oil groove around its periphery, actuated With itsadjacent thread from an external position by a series of oblong teeth,a. Wall across its base of any suitable shape, having an internal bossat its center for ignition plug support. l

3. An equalizing combustion unit placed in Va suitable opening of thecylinder head for an internal combustion engine as herein described',said opening supporting a housing member, an adjustable combustion headembodying an adjustable locking ring having aI thread on its innersurface Which acts on the thread around the periphery of the adjustablecombustion head, being above the top flange surface of the housingmember and bears against it when locked in place, and having a. numberof grooves around its out! A side surface providingmeans for the use ofa suitable tool to loosen and lock same in making adjustments to theadjustable combustion head for equalizing the compression area.

4. In an equalizing combustion unit placed in a. suitable opening of thecylinder head for an internal combustion engine as herein described,said opening supporting an adjustable combustion unit having as itsmajor parts, a housing member, an adjustable combustion head, and acirculating Water container arranged in the form of a closed vesselproviding a means for the rapid transmission of the heat to the. Waterfor cooling the unit, the outside and botto-m surfaces conforminglargely to the interior Walls of, and supported by the adjustablecombustion head, a central exposed surface forming a recess at thecenter providing a space for an ignition plug to the unit, a top surfacehaving-two circulation Water connections each with an external boss as ameans of connecting the flexible Water tubes, one running from asuitable connection on the cylinder head to the inlet side of thecirculating water container, one from the return outlet side of thecirculating Water container back to a suitable connection on thecylinder head, thus completing the Water circulation by means of theflexible tubes between the Water space in the cylinder head and thecirculating Water container of the unit, means for holding thecirculating Water container in position by tWo or more spring clampsWhich are securely fastened at Y suitable-points at one end on thetoprim or surface of the adjacent member by screws,

bustion head to'absorb the heat.

5. An equalizing combustion unit placed 'in a suitable opening o-f thecylinder head for internal combustion engine as herein described',k saidopening supporting an adjustable combustion unit having as one of itsmembers a circulating Water container for absorbing the heat o-f theunit, arranged in such manner as to vprovide a means for holding same ina non-turning position by two flexible Water tubes during changes to theposition of the adjustable combustion head, one

end of each being connected to the circulating Water container, theother anchored at a suitable point on the cylinder head independent ofthe unit, and by being released from the holding action of the springclamps attached to the top surface of its adjacent member, thuspermitting the smooth surface of the adjustable compression head torotate around the smooth surface ofthe circulation Water containerWithout turning or interfering With the flow of the circulating Wateroperating the unit for adjustments.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature. i

`DAVID LEWEs MARSHALL.

